Protests erupted in Badlapur, located in Maharashtra’s Thane district, on August 20, following the alleged sexual assault of two four-year-old schoolgirls by a male cleaning staff member. The incident, compounded by what the locals perceived as a delayed response from the authorities, led to widespread outrage.
On Tuesday, August 20, the entire town of Badlapur, Mahaarshtra was effectively shut down as thousands of demonstrators gathered to express their anger. Protesters blocked railway tracks at the local station and stormed the school building where the alleged sexual abuse had occurred. The accused, a 23-year-old sweeper, reportedly sexually assaulted the young girls in the school’s washroom, sparking deep concern and fury among residents. Notably, the accused, Akshay Shinde, had been appointed on by the school on August 1, 2024 on contractual basis.
This protest in Badlapur comes amid ongoing nationwide demonstrations sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. (Details can be read here) The young doctor was attacked while on night duty, a crime that has shocked the nation and led to widespread calls for justice. As these protests in Kolkata continue, more cases of sexual violence against women and children, particularly minors, Dalits, and Adivasis, have emerged, intensifying public outrage. (Details can be read here) The incident in Maharashtra has particularly struck a nerve, as it took place in a school—a place expected to safeguard children’s welfare.
The protest in Badlapur began early in the morning and saw significant participation, including many women. Demonstrators blocked train services between Ambernath and Karjat stations from 10:10 am, demanding swift and severe action against the perpetrator, as well as the introduction of stricter laws in the state to prevent such heinous acts. The protest had already disrupted local services, leading to the diversion of 12 mail express trains and the partial cancellation of 30 local trains. Reports indicated that some protesters resorted to stone-pelting and vandalized the school building where the alleged sexual assault occurred. However, tensions escalated when the Maharashtra police attempted to disperse the crowd around 6 pm, using lathi charges to clear the railway tracks.
In response to the outpouring of people’s anger, the police filed reverse FIRs against the demonstrators, registering complaints against 300 individuals and arresting more than 40 for stone-pelting, disrupting train services, and clashing with police. The arrested individuals are scheduled to appear in court on August 21, 2024.
How did the protest start?
The sexual assault came to light when one of the young victims complained of pain in her private parts. When asked by her parents, she revealed that the accused had inappropriately touched her while she was in the school toilet. Concerned, the parents contacted the family of the girl’s friend, who informed them that their daughter was also fearful of going to school. Both girls were then taken to a local doctor, who confirmed that they had been sexually assaulted.
On Tuesday morning, the parents of the victims staged a silent protest outside the school. At the protest, people were standing with banners demanding for death penalty for the accused. One banner read, “Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana. Nahi pahije amhala tumche 1,500 rupaye. Amhala amchi Bahin, aayi, Mulgi surakshit pahije. Yanchi hami dya. Ya Naradhamala fashichi shiksha jhali pahije. (Chief Minister Ladki Bahin Yojana. We don’t need your Rs 1,500. We want our sisters, mothers and daughters to be safe. Give an assurance of this and that the culprit will be published with death penalty).”
However, between 9:30 am and 10:00 am, a large crowd suddenly joined the protest, escalating the situation due to the insufficient police presence. According to a report from Hindustan Times, MNS leader Sangita Chedvankar, who had been leading the protest, quickly left the scene, while Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Kisan Kathore allegedly remained passive as the situation spiralled out of control. The situation further intensified when the protesters vandalized the school where the alleged assault took place and clashed with police at the nearby railway station.
The eruption of the protests
As per multiple media reports, the protest in Badlapur turned violent as agitators vandalised the school where the alleged sexual assault occurred and pelted stones at the Badlapur railway station. Some protesters broke into the school, damaging property by smashing windows, benches, and doors. Videos of the same had gone viral on social media.
Protesters, including many women, blocked railway tracks, leading to the suspension of local train services between Ambernath and Karjat stations around 10:10 am. The disruption caused by the rail roko protest at Badlapur station led to the diversion of 12 long-distance trains to alternate routes, while authorities arranged buses for stranded commuters. Additionally, 30 suburban trains were partially cancelled, and the Railways sought assistance from state and civic transport bodies to provide extra buses. In response to the escalating situation, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployed additional personnel at stations along the Kalyan-Karjat section of Central Railway.
Reports suggest that the situation at the protest site soon started deteriorating, with the protestors pelting stones at the police and refusing to vacating the Railway tracks. Reportedly, at least 17 city police officers and eight railway personnel were injured during the protest, according to The Tribune.
As the situation deteriorated, Thane police officials fired warning shots into the air and used tear gas to disperse the large crowd gathered outside the school in Badlapur. In some areas, there were also reports of a lathi charge by the police on protesters. Authorities have arrested many in connection with the violence.
Action undertaken by Maharashtra police to deal with protests, against protestors:
In response to the protests, the Thane police had deployed heavy forces at the protest sites. Meanwhile, Government Railway Police (GRP) Commissioner Ravindra Shisve had made failed attempts to calm the crowd by assuring them that strict action would be taken against the accused. Despite these assurances, the protesters remained resolute, continuing their blockade of the rail lines, which brought Mumbai’s local train services on the Central Line to a standstill for 10 hours.
In response to the unrest, internet services in Badlapur were shut down, and shops were also ordered to shut down, as provided by PTI.
As tensions rose, the police fired tear gas and resorted to a lathi charge on the crowd gathered outside the school and at the railway station. This action further inflamed the situation, leading the protesters to retaliate with stone-pelting. After 10 hours of disruption, train services resumed late at night, following the dispersal of protesters by the police. GRP Commissioner Ravindra Shisve informed the media that the tracks had been cleared and a report would be sent to railway operations to facilitate the resumption of services.
After the crowds were dispersed by force by the police, DCP Manoj Patil of the Railway Police had stated that the situation had stabilized and that railway operations had returned to normal. However, internet services would remain suspended for a few days to prevent the spread of rumors. DCP Sudhakar Pathare confirmed that internet services would be restored once the situation was reassessed. Most schools in the town were closed on August 21, according to local reports.
Statement by the police officials on FIRs against protestors and internet shutdown:
Referring to the diversion and cancellation of trains due to the protests, the Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) issued a statement saying that, “So far, approximately 12 mail express trains have been diverted, and the Koyna Express has been rerouted from near Badlapur back to Kalyan, then towards Karjat via Diva and Panvel. About 30 local trains have been partially cancelled between Ambernath and Karjat-Khopoli. The number is expected to increase significantly during peak hours.”
A senior police official in Badlapur reported that “at least 17 city police personnel, including two officers, were injured when an angry mob attacked them with stones during Tuesday’s protest over the sexual abuse of two young girls.”
The official added that three FIRs have been registered against the miscreants for violating prohibitory orders, armed unlawful assembly, assault, and damage to public property, among other charges. The injured police personnel are receiving treatment at various local hospitals.
The official also confirmed that “a total of 40 individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the stone-pelting and other crimes. Efforts are underway to identify additional offenders by examining CCTV footage and video news clips.”
On August 21, DCP Sudhakar Pathare spoke to the media and stated that internet services in the town were suspended following the protest and subsequent violence. He added, “Internet services will be restored after a review of the situation in the town.”
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